Starbucks Love Stories
Starbucks has created a third place for customers in more than 23,000 stores around the world. It’s a place between home and work to enjoy conversation and a sense of community. Naturally, Starbucks has helped bring together countless friends and loving couples in its stores.
For Valentine’s Day, we reached out to some customers and partners (employees) to hear how Starbucks played a role in their love stories.
'A fairytale story'
For Carly Layton, Valentine’s Day reinforces a belief that the search for love requires time and patience – and maybe a little fate.
“My soulmate traveled over 3,000 miles to end up working at the Starbucks down the street from me,” she observed.
Sarah Layton, who is now Carly’s wife, arrived in Florida from Wisconsin and began working at a Starbucks store near Carly's location.
Introduced by mutual friends, they knew from the start they were meant for one another, though a year passed before their first date. One year after that, they wed.
Starbucks has always been a big part of their "fairytale story,” said Carly. “Our first date was at Starbucks and our wedding favors were a custom Starbucks blend that we created.”
‘Put yourself out there’
Liz Quick said she noticed a "cute" barista as soon as she entered her regular Starbucks in Orange, California. But she wasn’t able to muster up the courage to say anything.
So she kept her cool even after Starbucks shift supervisor Edgar Corral remembered her name one day even before she placed her drink order. After that she flashed him a smile he said he’ll never forget. Weeks passed until one day he had a conversation with her during his break. Months went by before he asked her out. In the three years that have passed since their first encounter, Quick has learned a lesson.
“Don't be afraid to put yourself out there,” she said. “Even though I had feelings for Edgar, I was terrified to make the first move."
‘Embrace the love you have for your friends’
Samantha Magallanez and Erin Kometti were hired a week apart at the same Starbucks store in Jacksonville, Arkansas. They quickly began hanging out together after work and exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts as friends.
About a month into their relationship, Kometti made a joke that Magallanez found hysterical. Today the Starbucks BFFs are engaged.
“She always made me laugh and made me so happy when we worked together, even when I was having the most challenging day,” Magallanez recalled. “I knew she was something special.”
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate romance, but Magallanez believes it should also be a meaningful occasion for singles.
“Embrace the love you have for your friends,” she suggested. “Get them something special to express how much of an impact they have on your life.”
More Starbucks love stories:
Couple Meets at Starbucks; Returns to Tie the Knot
Mr. Trenta and Ms. Grande Get Married
As Valentine's Day nears, Starbucks invites customers to bring their loved ones and friends on a #StarbucksDate where they can enjoy three new Starbucks Molten Chocolate beverages.
